Christmas Jingle Bell Key Chain Tutorial

christmas key chain tutorial

December is well underway and there is so much to be done!  Is anyone else going crazy!!!   I love these fabric key chains – they make it super easy to find your keys in your purse and you can slide your keys on your wrist.  I wanted something festive for the holidays so I made candy cane stripe ones and added a jingle bell.  I love the fact that I jingle where ever I go!!  These make great gifts and you can whip up a bunch in an afternoon.

Supplies:

10″ red cotton webbing 1.25″ wide, I bought mine here

10″ x 2″ strip of striped fabric

Spray n Bond

Key fob hardware, I bought mine here

Jingle Bell

strip of card stock 1″ wide

Begin by cutting the fabric 2″ x 10″.  Center the 1″ strip of card stock in the center of the wrong side of the fabric.  Use the card stock as your guide to press the sides in evenly.  Remove the card stock.

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In my previous keychain tutorial I suggested using fusible hem tape to fuse the fabric to the webbing.  While this works great, I choose to use Basting Spray – it’s faster and goes farther.  A few tips about the basting spray: put down a disposable protective surface because there will be some overspray.  I made quite a few so I used some old wrapping paper which could be rolled and discarded to give me a clean surface.  If you are doing a lot I would wear gloves because you may get it on your hands.  

christmas key chain

Open the folds and spray a line down the center of the fabric.  Pat the folds in and smooth to hold in place.  Spray the folds again with the basting spray and center on the 10″ strip of webbing.

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Top stitch about 1/8″ away from the edge.

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Using pliers with some padding attached, fold the strip in half and pinch the hardware around the ends to secure.  Add a split ring and jingle bell.

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I packaged mine up with some Holiday Bath and Body Works soaps and lotions.  Now I’m off to deliver them!
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Christmas Wall Hanging

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I recently read Molly Hanson’s Free Motion Quilting for Beginners.   While I don’t consider myself a beginner (I’ve been FMQing for 16+ years) I found that reading this book gave me courage to break out of my quilting comfort zone – you all know what that is!  Mine is stippling and loop-de-loos!  I decided to try something new and try “pebble” style.  Beginning a free motion quilt pattern is like curling your hair – once you start you have to finish the job weather you like it or not!!  I am super happy with the way it turned out and my family was in awe at my creation!  You can check out the tutorial for this wall hanging over at the Therm O Web Blog!
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Christmas Deer Pillow Tutorial

 

christmas deer pillow

Sometimes fabric is so cute you just don’t want to cut it up!  I love deer and this fabric is one of the cutest deer prints I’ve seen.  I love that it is in a siver/grey color.  I keep my Living Room pretty neutral at Christmas: metallics, grey, cream, white, taupe, and a touch of aqua.  This fabric is perfect!

Supplies

20″ pillow form

20″ square front fabric, I used Rudolph in Grey by Blend

20″ square for the back fabric

1.5 yards grey crochet lace

Spray n Bond Basting Spray

22″ or longer zipper

20″ pillows are my favorite – so I cut a 20″ square of the Rudolph fabric.  I added a strip of grey crochet lace to give it a little texture.  I always use Spray n Bond basting spray when sewing lace – it keeps it from moving when you sew.
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christmas deer pillow

Since the pillow is pretty plain, I added some white pom pom trim.

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For the back of the pillow, I cut a 20″ square of the back fabric.  Cut a strip 3″ to add the zipper.  Click HERE for a tutorial on putting a zipper in the back of a pillow.  I used the same lace as a zipper cover.christmas deer pillow 4

 

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I love it!  It has such a winter wonderland feel!!  And only took about 30 minutes to make!

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Treelicious Christmas Pillow Tutorial

 

treelicious applique pillow tutorial

If the Christmas sewing doesn’t get done now, it will never get done!!!  I love this pillow and it is super fast and easy to make!  The fabrics are from Blend’s Treelicious line – which of course I am in LOVE with!  I am so hoping to get a tree skirt made before Christmas gets here.  The inspiration came from this print Tis The Season:

101.112.01.1WebI also think this line goes great with last year’s Hip Holiday Line.  This pillow will be at home with last year’s pillow:

Blend_Hip_Holiday_Throw_Pillow_Christmas_Tutorial

Here’s how you can make one:

Supplies:

fat quarter or
 yard cut of Garland Green Tree Fabric for side strips

1/2 yard solid white fabric

1/2 yard for backing fabric

Small cuts of fabric for the trees

Tree Pattern, click HERE

20″ or longer zipper

3 yards of decorative trim

Fiber fill

Heat n Bond Lite EZ Print Sheets or Heat n Bond Lite

Therm O Web Fabric Fuse

Accent trim for the trees

Begin by cutting (2) side strips of Garland Green Tree Fabric 15.5″ x 4.75″

Cut the white fabric 15.5″ x 18.5″

Sew the side strips to the sides of the white fabric using 1/4″ seams, press toward the dark.  I pressed this piece to Heat n Bond light weight fusible stabilizer to give it a little more strength – it will turn out fine without it.treelicious christmas pillow 3

Prepare the appliqué by printing the pattern on Heat n Bond Lite EZ print sheets or tracing the pattern on Heat n Bond Lite.

treelicious christmas pillowPress it to the wrong side of the tree fabrics and cut out along the pattern lines.  Peel off the appliqué backing.
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Position the trees as pictured and press to adhere.
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Using dark thread, outline stitch each of the trees at least twice.treelicious christmas pillow 5

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Using Fabric Fuse glue, adhere the trims on the trees.  You can also sew them if you want.  I was anxious to try out the Fabric Fuse and I really liked how it turned out – it holds great!

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I put a little of the Fabric Fuse on the ends of the Ric Rac to prevent from fraying.treelicious christmas pillow 8

Top stitch 1/4″ on both sides of the side seams for some added detail.

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Prepare the back.  Cut the back fabric 27″ x 15.5″.

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Then make a cut at the 3″ mark.treelicious christmas pillow 11

Sew the zipper in.treelicious christmas pillow 12

Trim off excess zipper.treelicious christmas pillow 13

Select the trim you want and baste it all the way around the pillow front.treelicious christmas pillow 14

Curve the corners so the trim lays nice:treelicious christmas pillow 15

Leaving the zipper open, place the pillow top and the pillow back right sides together and sew using a generous 1/4″ seam all the way around.  Turn right side out.  I know this is an odd size pillow form, but you can just stuff with fiberfill and zip it shut.treelicious christmas pillow 16

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Handmade Holidays Blog Hop – My Favorite Zipper Pouch

I LOVE zipper pouches!  I have million and I still need more!  I love that all my friends have one of my zipper pouches in their purses.  They are fabulous gifts because you always need another one!  I call this pattern My Favorite Zipper Pouch Version 2.0, click HERE for version 1.0 🙂

my favorite zipper pouch

How cute is it to make one of these pouches and then put a few necessities inside: Kleenex, lip balm, hand sanitizer, gum, a handmade pouch of fabric bandages, and my favorite idea which I got from my friend Jennifer, a hair elastic with safety pins and bobby pins attached to it!  Brilliant!  Below you will find the tutorial for the zipper pouch, fabric bandages, and clear bandage keeper.  I hope you enjoy making these.

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fabric bandages

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Supplies:

Fat Quarters or 1/4 yard cuts assorted fabrics

The fabrics used in this project are from Blend’s Turkish Delight.  I am totally loving every combination in this collection!!!

Therm O Web Fusible Fleece

Therm O Web Spray n Bond Basting Spray

1/2 yard of lace

zipper, at least 12″ – I buy my zippers long and then I can always cut them down

Key charm for the zipper pull

Let’s get started!

Cut the coral floral fabric (2) 5″ x 9″

Cut the white floral fabric (2) 2″ x 9″

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Cut the lining fabric (2) 6.5″ x 9″

Fusible Fleece (2) 6.5″ x 9″zipper pouch tutorial 5

Cut the lace (2) 9″ pieces.  Using the Spray n Bond, spray baste the lace into place, lining the top edge with the top raw edge of the coral floral fabric.  Do this to both pieces.

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Using 1/4 inch seams, sew the white floral to the top of the coral floral.  Press.  Layer this piece on the fusible fleece and press according to the directions.  Do this to both the floral/lace pieces.  Using 1/8″ seam, top stitch next to seam on both pieces:

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For the zipper tabs….Cut (2) strips of fabric 2″ x 4″.  Press in half then press the ends in 1/4″ like this:

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Lay out the zipper, tabs, and one of the floral/lace pieces – note, the zipper tabs are larger than needed, we will cut off the excess

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Open one of the zipper tabs and insert one end of the zipper (cut off metal stop).  Sew 2 times along the edge holding the zipper into place.  Then position the other tab.  There should be about 1″ of tab on each side, the extra will be cut off and discarded.  If your zipper is really long, you will trim down the zipper then place inside the tab.  It should look like this:

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Cut open the folded end of the zipper tabs.  Cut out the zipper so it only about 1/4″ remains.  This photo was taken before the zipper was cut out.  The reason for this is to reduce the bulk in the zipper pouch seams.

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Place the zipper and one of the zipper pouch sides right sides together, aligning the edges.  You can trim off the excess tabs.

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Now place one of the bag lining pieces right side down, lining up the raw edges with the zipper and the zipper pouch front.  Pin into place.  Sew along the edge using a zipper foot.

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Now that the one side of the zipper is sewn in, press and trim off excess tabs.

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Now it’s time to sew the other side of the zipper pouch to the zipper.  Lay the second floral/lace piece facing up.  Then lay the piece with the zipper on top, matching right sides.  Line up the top edge of the floral piece with the zipper, like this:

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Now lay the second piece of lining fabric right side down and align the top edge as well.  Pin.  Sew using zipper foot.

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Press the second side so the zipper lays flat.  Top stitch 1/8″ next to both sides of the zipper.

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To finish the bag…. MAKE SURE THE ZIPPER IS OPEN  Match right sides together beginning at the zipper.  Match the zipper seams line this and pin:  Do this to both sides.

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Continue pinning all the way around the bag like this:  Then sew 1/4″ all the way around the bag, leaving an opening about 2.5″ on one of the sides of the lining.

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Before turning right side out, cut a 1.25″ square out of each corner.  I use a piece of paper 1.25″ square and cut with scissors.

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This is what it looks like after all 4 corners have been “notched”.

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Open each notched corner and match the seams, pin, sew 1/4″ seam, backstitch to start and stop.  Do this to each corner.

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Turn the bag right side out, topstitch the opening closed.  I like to add a little charm to the zipper.

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Now, to make the Fabric Bandages….

fabric bandages and case tutorial

You can make fabric covered bandages several ways.  I’ve seen some tutorials and they use a double sided permament sticky tape.  I decided to try using iron-on adhesive hem tape, which happens to be the exact width as most bandages, 3/4″!

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To make the fabric covered bandages, cut a piece of Heat n Bond Hem tape the length of the bandage.  Place it in-between the bandage and the fabric.  Using a pressing paper for protection, press.  TWO IMPORTANT THINGS…. FIRST, make sure you flip the bandage/fabric over to press so the iron hits the fabric first and not the bandage.  SECOND, only iron with hot dry iron for 2-3 seconds max.  If you heat any longer, the heat will melt the bandage adhesive and the bandage won’t be sticky.

Please note, these are just for fun and to be used on minor scratches or “boo boos”.  For serious injuries or wounds, use a real first aid kit and seek medical attention.

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Once the adhesive has cooled, cut the bandage out.

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To make the bandage “keeper” cut a piece of clear vinyl 2.25″ x 7″.  Fold in half.  Cut a little notch out of the front.  Use a decorative stitch to sew up the sides.

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Place the colorful bandages inside.  I can’t wait to use mine, I guess I should sew some more for gifts!

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An Attitude of Gratitude Quilted Journals

quilted gratitude journal tutorial

 

I am so excited it’s November!  Yes, it’s all going a bit too fast, I will admit 🙂  Every year we do a “thankful campaign”  in the month of November.  When my children were small we wrote what we were thankful for on leaves and taped them to a big tree I had placed on the back of the front door.  As the children got a little older, we wrote what we were thankful for everyday and then put it in the “Thankful Bucket”; we read all the thankful papers out loud on Thanksgiving.  This year I want something a little more meaningful and something that can be adopted into a habit.  Gratitude journals are not a new idea, but I decided it’s time every member of my family have a Gratitude Journal and we write each day at least 10 things we are grateful for.  Pretty much, you open the book and you write what ever it is you are thankful for – it can be a word or many paragraphs.

I’ve done a lot of reading on Gratitude and I even have a Pinterest board for all the wonderful Gratitude ideas and quotes there are out there.  My favorite quotes are:

Gratitude Turns What We Have Into Enough and A Thankful Heart is the Parent of All Virtues

I am hoping by helping my family turn our hearts into grateful hearts, we will have more love for each other and for those around us and we will feel closer to God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Here is how you can make a Quilted Gratitude Journal!!

Supplies:

fat quarters or small cuts of fabric for the pieced journal front

1/3 yard fabric for lining

1/3 yard for journal cover flaps

cotton batting

hair elastic

button

Spray n Bond Basting Spray

Scrap of burlap

“An Attitude of Grattitude” printable, click HERE

For the “boy” journal I used fabric from Blend’s “Hammer and Nails” line – I love finding mature boy fabric – it’s hard to come by, but I thought this was perfect for my 11 year old son and my husband with out being cheesy 🙂

For the “girl” journal I used fabric from Blend’s “Good Company” line – super cute – reminds me of feminine fall fabrics

Therm O Web’s Heat n Bond’s EZ Print Transfer Sheets

 

Begin by cutting the strips for the outer part of the journal:

For the boy version, cut the blue fabric 5″ x 16.5″, the measuring tape fabric 2″ x 16.5″, and the wood fabric 5″ x 16.5″ .  Sew them together in this order using 1/4″ seams.

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For the girl version, cut the top pink piece 6″ x 16.5″, the owl & squirrel print 4″ x 16.5″, and the blue print 2″ x 16.5″.  Sew together in this order using 1/4″ seams.

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Basically, the final measurement should be 16.5″ x 11″ if you want to design your own pattern.

Using Spray n Bond, baste the journal top to the cotton batting and quilt as desired.

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On the girl journal I quilted loop-de-loos…..

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On the boy journal I quilted straight lines….

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Square up the journal top by trimming the excess batting.  It’s OK if the journal top shrinks a bit due to quilting.

Next, prepare the “gratitude saying” by printing in reverse on the EZ Transfer Sheets.

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Cut out a rectangle of  solid cream fabric the size you want it – the girl’s one was 4.75″ x 3.5″ and the boy’s one was 4.75 x 3″quilted gratitude journal tutorial_2

 

Trim down the EZ transfer sheets and read the directions on the package.  Pretty much you put it face down on the cream fabric and press with a dry hot iron.  Then peel off the backing paper.  I love using these sheets – expect to see more projects with words and quotes 🙂quilted gratitude journal tutorial_4

Cut the burlap so as to “frame” the word square.  Using the basting spray, baste the word piece to the burlap, then the to the journal cover.

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Position as desired.quilted gratitude journal tutorial_11

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Sew around it twice with dark brown thread.quilted gratitude journal tutorial_21

Cut the “flap” fabric (2) 10″ x 11″ squares and press in half lengthways.

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Cut the lining fabric 16.5″ x 11″.  then lay the flaps like this matching raw edges.quilted gratitude journal tutorial_15

Baste the hair elastic in the center of the back of the journal cover:

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Place the journal top right sides together with the lining/flap piece an pin all the way around.  Sew around the whole piece using 1/4″ seams and leaving an opening to turn at the bottom center.  Turn right side out.  Press.  Top stitch the opening closed with matching thread.

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Insert the composition book into the cover and mark where the button should go.  Sew the button on with needle an thread, careful not to catch the flap.

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I love how they turned out and my children were super excited to receive one of these tonight during our Family Home Evening!!

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Fall Friends Applique Quilt – Blogger’s Quilt Festival Entry

Fall Friends Applique Quilt_3

It’s that time of year again, the Blogger’s Quilt Festival from Amy’s Creative Side!  I am entering my “Fall Friends” quilt in the “appliqué quilt” category.  I am so in love with this quilt that I just finished sewing today!  The woodland animal appliqué patterns are from Jennifer Heynen’s book “A Walk in the Woods“.  I came up with the design of the quilt – it’s a disappearing 9-Patch with sashing.  The fabric’s are also from Jennifer’s “A Walk in the Woods” fabric line.  I don’t know about you but I am in love with hedgehogs, squirrels, and foxes!!!

AmysCreativeSide.com

 

Fall Friends Applique Quilt

 

The quilt measures 56″ x 72″.  The appliqué is fused with Heat n Bond Lite and then straight stitched around the edges.  The quilting is long-arm machine quilted and the binding is hand-sewn.

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Thanks so much for stopping by!  and Happy Fall!!!

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SPOOKY CAT Pillow

spooky halloween pillow

Can you believe how fast October is flying by?????  It’s crazy!  Here is a quick Halloween project – with a black cat of course – that you can sew in about 30 minutes.   By using their Heat n Bond EZ print sheets, you can print the pattern pieces onto the appliqué paper in your own printer!

 

Supplies

20″ x WOF duck cloth or neutral light weight canvas
fat quarter or similar black fabric
Heat n Bond® Lite EZ print sheets
22″ or longer zipper
20″ pillow form

Instructions

Begin by cutting (2) 20″ squares from the neutral fabric

Print the cat pattern (here) and SPOOKY pattern (here) then iron them to the wrong side of the black fabric.  Cut out on the pattern line and peel off backing.

spooky Halloween pillow

Position the pattern pieces as desired or as pictured below on the 20″ square and press into place.  Using black thread, stitch around each appliqué piece.
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To finish the pillow take the second 20″ square (pillow back) and cut 3″ off:
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Insert the zipper and press.  Trim off excess zipper.spooky Halloween pillow_5

With zipper pull positioned in the center of the pillow, pin the pillow front and the pillow back right sides together.  Sew all the way around the pillow using a 1/2″ seam.spooky Halloween pillow_6

Turn right side out and insert pillow.

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In my dining/living room I like to decorate only with black, white, neutrals, and metallics.  I love how the pillow looks on the neutral chair – a perfect compliment to the “31” pillow!!

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It also looks cute in the family room with some pops of orange!!spooky Halloween pillow_9

 



Halloween Pillow Tutorial

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I can’t believe how fast October is flying by!!  I made this festive pillow for a friend for her October pillow.  Here’s how you can make one:

 

Supplies:

20″ x WOF background pillow fabric

1/4 yard orange fabric

1/4 yard black fabric

scrap of white fabric

Therm O Web Heat n Bond Lite

20″ pillow form

22″ or longer zipper

Pattern, Click HERE

Begin by cutting (2) 20″ squares of the background pillow fabric

Halloween_Pillow_1

 

Trace the chevron print on the Heat n Bond Lite.  You will need (2) 20″ sections of chevron

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Roughly cut the chevron strips out and press them to the wrong side of the orange and the black fabric.  Then cut along the chevron pattern lines.Halloween_Pillow_3

 

Trace the BOO onto the Heat n Bond Lite or print on the Heat n Bond EZ Sheets.  Iron it to the back of the black fabric.  Do the same with the ghost pattern and iron it on the back of the white fabric.  Peel the paper back off the Heat n Bond and position as pictured below.  Press into place.  Outline stitch with black fabric.  Cut 3 small circles/ovals for the ghost eyes and nose out of the scraps of the black fabric with heat n bond on the back.  Add to the ghost.
halloween applique

For the pillow back, cut a 3″ strip off of the 20″ pillow back.  This is where the zipper will go.
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Sew the zipper joining the 2 pieces of the pillow back.  Press.Halloween_Pillow_6

Trim the excess zipper off and position the zipper pull in the center of the pillow.  Place the pillow front and the pillow back right sides together, aligning the edges.  Pin.  Sew, using a 1/2″ seam all the way around the pillow.  Then turn right side out.  Insert pillow form.Halloween_Pillow_7

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It’s so cute – I may need to keep it 🙂Halloween_Pillow_9

 

It looks so perfect with my Halloween Disappearing 9-Patch quilt!!Halloween_Pillow_10
owee

Riley Blake Flannel Baby Quilt and Burpers Tutorial

flannel baby quiltI am so excited to be participating in the Riley Blake Flannel Blog Hop!  Thanks for stopping by!  Let me introduce myself….I’m Amanda, a Southern California mom of 3 children who LOVES fabric, sewing and quilting!  I love sharing my projects and patterns on my blog and connecting with people who share my same interests.

First let me just say how much I love Riley Blake flannels.  I have been sewing with flannel for years and the quality and durability of Riley Blake flannel is amazing – plus it comes in so many cute prints!  My tutorial today is for two projects.  #1 Easy Quilted Flannel Baby Blanket and #2 “Old School” Baby Burpers

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…..yes I know super “Old School” but this burper pattern has been in the family for 40 years – since I was a baby!!  Each generation of babies and mommies has loved using these.
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Let’s get started….

Quilted Flannel Baby Blanker

Supplies:

1.5 yards top fabric, I used Riley Blake Country Girls Patchwork in Pink….I love this because it already looks like a darling quilt

1.5 yards back fabric, I used Riley Blake Country Girls Country Floral Navy plus extra for the appliqué letter

1/2 yard flnnel for binding and accent square

cotton batting

Heat n Bond Lite

Basting spray

I love sewing with flannel, especially quilting because it is soft and it doesn’t move around when you sew!  I always prewash my flannel.  
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The first part of the project is pretty much just quilting the two 1.5 yards of fabric together.  Pin baste the back, batting, and top fabrics of your quilt just like you would any quilt.  If the edges don’t line up perfectly, don’t worry.  After you quilt it you will square it up.  Quilt as desired.  I quilted free motion meanders.  Square up.riley_blake_flannel_baby_quilt_2

Attach the monogram:

Cut a 9″ square of accent flannel.

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Print your desired letter in reverse.  I choose a “J” because I am giving this to my friend who is having a girl and naming her Juliette.  Trace the letter onto the Heat n Bond Lite and iron it to the wrong side of the flannel.

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Cut out the letter, peel off the backing paper and press it to the center of the 9″ accent square.  Using basting spray or pins, position the accent square as desired on the quilt.

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Using a 1″ seam, sew around the square.  Then sew around the letter sewing close to the edge.  Cut little slits into the edge of the square like this:

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I choose to add the letter after the quilting so the letter would have a quilted look as well.  After a few washings, the fringed edge of the square should look more ruffley similar to a rag quilt.

Cut (6) 2.5″ strips of flannel for the binding.  I choose to machine sew my binding on so it would hold up nicely after many washings.

riley_blake_flannel_baby_quilt_23 I think it turned out so cute!  and it’s sooooo soft and snuggly!

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Old School Baby Burpers

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Just a word about these baby burpers…..  My mom sewed this same style burper when I was a little baby.  As a toddler I would carry one around like it was a little blankie.  I called them “Night Nights”.  I’ve continued the tradition with my children.  Below are ones I sewed 16 years ago for my first baby.  The flannel selections were so sad back then – but I made do!  I made stacks and stacks of these and boy did we go through them!  Since my children are older, I found a new use for them – dusters!  They are perfect for dusting the piano, the china hutch and for other finishes you don’t want scratched!!

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Supplies

1/2 yards of assorted flannels

ric rac

Pattern, click HERE

Begin by printing the pattern and tracing it onto tissue paper.  Note, the pattern is only for half the burper, trace both sides onto the tissue paper and cut it out.  Pin it to the flannel, I like to cut 4 out at a time.  Cut around the pattern line.

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Cut the desired amount and choose matching ric rac.

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Beginning and ending on the side of the burper, take one of the pieces you’ve cut and sew the ric rac on; line up the edge of the ric rac with the edge of the burper.  Sew the seam in the center of the ric rac.  Start and stop on the side, overlapping the ric rac and having the edges outside of the seam like this:

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Pin the second piece right sides together with the first piece.  Sew along the seam created by sewing the ric rac.  Start and stop on the side leaving a little opening to turn.

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Turn right side out, press seams so they lay flat and edges curve nicely.  Top stitch.  This will close the opening that was left open for turning.

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Now do this over and over until you have a nice stack!  These are great to make and keep on hand for baby gifts.
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I love that they are coordinating!  What a perfect gift!

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Thanks for stopping by!!!